Steelers' cornerback Boykin wondering when he'll take the field

[86WARD]

In this particular case, the issue was why Boykin did not play. Prior to the news of his injury emerging, almost everyone was taking the position that the defensive coaching staff was too stupid to continue living and that any idiot could see that Boykin should have played on Thursday against the Pats. There is now a chain of logic and information that supports a position that there were very good reason(s) for Boykin not playing against the Patriots. That was all I was responding to. Nothing more. The structure and deficiencies in the secondary is an entirely separate discussion.

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So if Gay is not starting caliber and should be restricted to playing slot corner, how is Boykin the savior? Boykin is basically William Gay 2.0.

Eagles traded him because Boykin wants to play outside and the Eagles felt he was only a slot corner.

I'm not saying Boykin is the answer. But we know Gay is not. Boykin was in line for a starting job in Philadelphia before they traded him so I don't think we actually know if Boykin is or isn't ready to be a starting CB. We know that Gay is better for this team, historically, in the slot.

[Count Steeler]

Eagles traded him away, but the Steelers took him. So did our coaches/GM bring in a CB for the secondary that they knew would ride the pines? I think not.

[Mojouw]

I'm not saying Boykin is the answer. But we know Gay is not. Boykin was in line for a starting job in Philadelphia before they traded him so I don't think we actually know if Boykin is or isn't ready to be a starting CB. We know that Gay is better for this team, historically, in the slot.

Boykin was not in line for a starting spot in Philly. They totally remade their entire DB corps and choose to not really include Boykin as a starter and since they traded him, as a significant sub package player.

We can not pretend that Boykin is going to be some sort of magic answer in the secondary. Can he be part of the answer? Of course. But this is not a unit that is going to get significantly better this season. They need 2 more corners and at least one more safety before the secondary is not a total mess.

[86WARD]

He totally was in line to compete for a starting job. Kelly wasn't keen on his height, but he told Boykin he would get a shot to compete and then they signed Maxwell. You don't know he's not a starter if he doesn't get a chance. I won't pretend like he's the savior out there, but we know what He did in Philadelphia and it wasn't terrible...it was better than what Blake and Allen have done. But if you don't play him, you won't know if he is or isn't the "magic answer."

I also tend to believe that they need to sign two starters...hence the reason I wanted Maxwell all off season but you won't know what you have in Boykin if you don't play him.

[Rotorhead]

He is probably happy he is not part of that shithouse fire that is Philly right about now.

[86WARD]

He is probably happy he is not part of that shithouse fire that is Philly right about now.

So is DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, Nick Foles and I forget who else...lol. It's only two weeks...the Patriots looked terrible last season after two weeks and look what they did. Remember they were calling for Tom Brady's head at this time last year...lol.

[Mojouw]

He totally was in line to compete for a starting job. Kelly wasn't keen on his height, but he told Boykin he would get a shot to compete and then they signed Maxwell. You don't know he's not a starter if he doesn't get a chance. I won't pretend like he's the savior out there, but we know what He did in Philadelphia and it wasn't terrible...it was better than what Blake and Allen have done. But if you don't play him, you won't know if he is or isn't the "magic answer."

I also tend to believe that they need to sign two starters...hence the reason I wanted Maxwell all off season but you won't know what you have in Boykin if you don't play him.

I honestly believe that Kelly was never going to play Boykin as anymore than the slot corner. He wants big tall Dbs starting. But that doesn't really matter, because he is here now.

All I really have left to say on the matter is that I have read from multiple sources that Boykin has so far been too damn dumb to pick up the system properly and continues to disappoint by making mental mistakes. Additionally, I still believe his groin injury occurred earlier than last Wednesday. If there is a standard that each player needs to demonstrate in meeting rooms, film study, and the practice field prior to them being given significant playing time - then you can't bend it, even for a player at a "need" position. Doing otherwise would be the bad coaching that is so often alleged.